Automatic plunger-elevator.



D. F. MORTON.

AUTOMATIC ILUNGER ELEVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNI: 7, 1905.

Patented Dec. 16, 1913.

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ATTORNEYS cDLuMmA PLANOGRAPH C0.. WASHINGTON. D. c,

NETE@ ETATES PATENT DAVID FLOURNOY NORTON, OF EUREKA MILLS, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNQE TO OTIS ELEVA'IOR COMPANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC PLUNGrER-ELEVATOR.

Specification of Letters 2atent.

To oZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that l, DAvn) FLoURNoY Mon- ToN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Eureka Mills, in the county of Charlotte and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Flunger-Elevators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in automatic plunger elevators and consists in certain novel constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings forming a part hereof Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section of a plunger elevator provided with my impro-vement showing the car at the bottom of the shaft. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the car at an intermediate point in its ascent. Fig. 3 is a similar view with t-he car at the top. Fig. 4L is a transverse section on the line L -l of Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. l.

In the present embodiment of my invention the elevator car A is secured to the upper end of a plunger B movable longitudinally in a cylinder C, by means of iiuid acting upon the plunger. The upper end of the cylinder, as shown, is provided with a double wall at each side, the inner wall c being a continuation of the lower part of the cylinder and being provided with oppositely disposed longitudinal series of perforations 02-03, the outer wall c being offset outwardly from the inner wall, and spaced apart therefrom to form an open space c4. The opposite series of perforations are not in transverse alinement with each other, the perforations of one series being slightly farther apart than the perforations of the opposite series, and theupper end of the inner wall is provided with an inwardly eX- tending flange 0 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

A sleeve D, encircles the plunger and normally rests within the cylinder. The upper end of the sleeve is provided with an outwardly extending flange Z for engaging the upper end of the cylinder to support the sleeve, and upon the flange is a stuffingboX CZ, upon which rests a spring (Z2, for engaging the car when the same is in its lowered position. An outwardly extending flange @Z3 is provided on the lower end of the sleeve, and is adapted to fill the space Fatented Dec. iid, i913.

Serial No. 264,145.

ger below the first sleeve, a space intervenl ing between the adjacent ends of the sleeves and is supported by a spring c5, resting upon a spring seat ce arranged in the cylinder below the sleeve. The sleeve E is provided with outwardly extending iianges c e on its upper and lower ends adapted to fill the space between the outer face of the sleeve and the inner face of the casing. A flange b5 is provided on the lower end of the plunger for engaging the lower edge of the spring, during the upward ascent of the plunger to elevate the sleeve.

An inlet port F is arranged in the outer wall of the cylinder, opposite the long series of perforations, and opposite the short se ries, is an outlet port G.

lWhen fluid is admitted through the inlet port F it passes into the space between the inner and outer wall and enters the cylinder through the lowerinost perforations. Since the amount of fluid is small the plunger' commences' its movement at a very low speed. The pressure of the fluid, however, elevates the sleeve D, and as it nieves upward other perforations are uncovered, admitting a greater amount of fluid, and increasing to a consequent degree the speed, of the plunger, and also the speed of the sleeve. 1When the plunger nears the end of its upward travel, the flange b5 on the bottom thereof engages the spring c5, and the lower sleeve is elevated, and the flange e thereon will cut off the perforations c2 one by one, thus decreasing the rate of travel of the plunger gradually until the inlet of fluid is entirely cut off. lll/Then the car descends the discharge outlet is opened and as the plunger descends carrying with it the lower sleeve, the outlet perforations c3 are opened one by one permitting of a gradual discharge of fluid, until the iiange E of the sleeve passes below the perforations c3, at which time the car has attained its maximum speed. lVhen the car nears the lower end of its travel, the upper sleeve again comes into action, gradually shutting off the outlet of fiuid.

The pressure under the fiange of the sleeve D, will ordinarily ybe sufficient to carry it upward and to retain it in its elevated position, but I provide in addition thereto, laterally extending arms (Z4, attached to the stufling box on the sleeve, and having secured to the ends thereof ropes Z5 passing upwardly over pulleys a secured to the side of the shaft and provided at their free ends with weights d6.

rIlhe inwardly extending flange co on the upper edge of the cylinder engages the ange cl3 on the sleeve D to prevent the same from being pulled from the cylinder during the upward movement of the car.

It will be evident from the description that my invention possesses many advantages, among which may be mentioned simplicity of construction, and economy of `space no limit valves being necessary. The

action of the sleeves in admitting or discharging water gradually as the car approaches the top or bottom landings is entirely automatic in its action and absolutely certain, since this action is not dependent upon ropes, valves, or human aid. Should the ropes supporting the sleeve break, and this isthe only part liable to injury, the safety of the elevator is increased since the car can ascend or descend only at a very slow speed, the only possible motion being permitted by the leakage between the sleeve and the cylinder.

In important feature of my invention is the fact that it cannot be injured by an inexperienced operator, the automatic action being entirely beyond his control. The springs above the upper sleeve, and between the lower end of the piston and the lower sleeve, act as buffers at the extreme limits of the cars travel.

T`While I have described my improvement as applied to a plunger elevator, I do not choose to limit myself to such construction, since it is evident that the same be used in many other constructions, such as fluid presses, fluid clutches, fire ladder trucks, disappearing gun carriages, or any construction where it is desired to provide for a gradually decreasing` speed in the bringing to rest of a moving part or for a gradual increase in speed at the commencement of movementof such part.

It will be understood that the sleeves are not intended to form tight joints, but to cut off the principal parts of the flow, the change valve cutting off the supply completely. The lower sleeve might be of the same cross section throughout, the flanges being provided to obviate turning of the outer exterior surface of the sleeve. lNhile I have shown the series of perforations as being oppositely placed on the cylinder, I do not choose to limit myself to this construction, since it is evident that they might be placed at an angle to each other.

It will be understood that the fluid passes between the sleeves and the plunger, the sleeves being guided and retained in proper position by the flanges on their upper and lower edges. The weights attached to the upper sleeve, are suiiicient to cause the same to move upward at the commencement of the plungers travel, and the lower sleeve is moved upward by the engagement of the flange on the lower end of the plunger with said sleeve. lhen the plunger commences its downward movement, the lower sleeve descends therewith by gravity, while the upper sleeve is forced downward by the car, against the resistance of the weights.

The sleeve E is provided with an opening ez therethrough at its upper end, on the side adjacent to the outlet perforations, in order to enable the plunger to commence its descent as soon as the exhaust is open.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. In a plunger elevator, the combination of a car, a cylinder provided at its upper end with an inlet comprising a series of longitudinally arranged openings communicating with the cylinder, and an outlet comprising an oppositely disposed series of longitudinally arranged openings communicating with the cylinder, the first series extending below the second series, a fluid actuated plunger within the cylinder for supporting the car, a sleeve embracing the plunger and normally covering the openings of the outlet, and a plurality of openings of the inlet, a flange on the upper end of the sleeve for engaging the free end of the cylinder to support the sleeve, a spring on the flange, a flange on the lower end of the sleeve and extending outward to the inner wall of the casing, a flange on the upper end of the cylinder for engaging the flange on the sleeve to prevent withdrawal of the sleeve from the cylinder, a spring seat within the cylinder, a spring resting on the seat, a second sleeve encircling the plunger below the first sleeve and spaced apart therefrom, fianges on the ends of the sleeve and extending outward to the inner wall of the cylinder, and a flange on the lower end of the plunger for engaging the spring to elevate the sleeve.

2. In a plunger elevator, the combination of a car, a cylinder provided at its upper end with an inlet comprising a series of longitudinally arranged openings, and an outlet comprising a second series'of longitudinally arranged openings, the first series extending below the second series, a fiuid actuated plunger within the cylinder for supporting the car, a sleeve encircling the plunger and normally covering the openings of the outlet and a plurality of the openings of the inlet, a flange on the lower end of the sleeve and extending outwardly to the inner wall of the cylinder, means for preventing withdrawal of the sleeve from the cylinder, means whereby the sleeve may travel with the car at the commencement of its upward travel, a second sleeve supported below the first sleeve and spaced apart therefrom, flanges on the ends of the sleeve and extending outwardly to the inner wall of the casing, and means whereby the second sleeve may travel with the plunger near the end of its upward movement.

3. In a plunger elevat-or, the combination ot' a car, a cylinder provided at its upper end with an inlet comprising a series of longitudinally arranged openings, and an outlet comprising a second series of longitudinally arranged openings, the first series extending below the second series, a fluid actuated plunger within the cylinder for supporting the car, means within the cylinder normally closing the openings of the outlet and a plurality of the openings of' the inlet, means for actuating said closing means to gradually open the openings at the commencement of the upward movement of the plunger, means within the cylinder for gradually closing the openings, and means for actuating said closing means near the end of the upward movement of the plunger.

In a plunger elevator, the combination of a car, a cylinder provided at its upper end with an inlet comprising a series of longitudinally arranged openings, and an outlet comprising a second series of longitudinally arranged openings, the first series eX- tcnding below the second series, a fluid actuated plunger within the cylinder for supporting the car, means within the casing for normally closing the openings of the outlet and a plurality of' the openings of the inlet, means for actuating said closing means to gradually open the openings at the commencement of the travel of the plunger, means to gradually close the openings near the end of the travel of the plunger, means whereby the movement of the plunger may actuate the said closing means.

5. ln a plunger elevator, the combination of a car, a cylinder provided at its upper end with an inlet comprising a series of longitudinally arranged openings, and an outlet comprising a series of longitudinally arranged openings, the first series extending below the second series, a fluid actuated plunger within the cylinder for supporting the car, means normally closing the openings of the out-let and a plurality of the openings of the inlet, means whereby to operate the said closing means at the commencement of the upward travel of the plunger to gradually open the openings, means for gradually closing the openings, and means whereby the plunger may actuate GTO the said closing means near the end of its upward travel.

6. ln plunger elevators, the combination of a car, a cylinder provided at its upper end with an inlet, comprising a series of longitudinally arranged openings, and an outlet comprising a second series of longitudinally arranged openings, a plunger within the cylinder for supporting the car, means for gradually opening the openings at the commencement ofthe plungers travel,means for gradually closing the openings at the end of the plungers travel, and means whereby the plunger may operate the said last named means.

7. ln plunger elevators, the combination of the car, a cylinder provided with inlet and outlet ports, a fluid actuated plunger within the cylinder for supporting the car, means traveling with the plunger at the commencement of its movement for gradually opening the inlet port, and means traveling with the plunger near the end of its movement for gradually closing said port.

8. In plunger elevators, the combination of a car7 a cylinder, a fluid actuated plunger within the cylinder, for supporting the car, means traveling` with the plunger at the commencement of its movement for gradually admitting fluid to the cylinder, and means traveling with the plunger near the end of its movement for gradually checking the admission of fluid to the cylinder.

9. In plunger elevators, the combination of a car, a cylinder, a fluid actuated plunger within the cylinder for supporting the car, means extending within the cylinder for gradually admitting fluid thereto, means within the cylinder to gradually check the admission of fluid, and means whereby the movement of the plunger may actuate said checking means.

l0. ln plunger elevators, the combination of a car, a cylinder, a fluid actuated plunger within the cylinder for supporting the car, means partly within the cylinder for gradually admitting fluid thereto, means within the cylinder for gradually checking the admission of fluid, means without the cylinder for actuating the admitting means, and means within the cylinder for actuating the checking means.

ll. ln plunger elevators, the combination of a cylinder provided with oppositely disposed series of inlet and outlet ports, a fluid actuated plunger within the cylinder, a sleeve extending within the cylinder normally closing a plurality of the ports, means whereby the sleeve may move with the plunger' at the commencement of its travel to open the ports, a second sleeve supported below the lirst sleeve, and means whereby the sleeve may move with the plunger near he end of its travel to gradually close the ports.

l2. ln apparatus of the class described,

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the combination of a cylinder, provided at one end with a plurality of inlet and outlet perforations, a fluid actuated plunger within the cylinder, means for gradually opening the perforations at the commencement of the outward movement of the plunger, and means for gradually closing the perforations near the end of the outward movement of the plunger, and means whereby the plunger may actuate the said closing means.

13. ln apparatus of the class described, the combination of a cylinder, provided at one end with a plurality of inlet and outlet perforations, a fluid actuated plunger within the cylinder, means for gradually opening the perforations at the commencement of the outward movement of the plunger, and means for gradually closing the perforations near the end of said outward movement, and means whereby said opening and closing means may operate in unison with the plunger.

14. In a hydraulic elevator, the combination with a car and plunger, of a cylinder for said plunger, and means in said cylinder and surrounding said plunger for limiting the outflow of motor fluid.

15. In a hydraulic elevator, the combination with a car, of a plunger and a cylinder having a series of perforations, and a cylinder freely movable across said perforations for throttling the outflow of fluid from said hydraulic cylinder.

16. In an elevator', the combination with a car and a plunger, of a cylinder 'for said plunger, and means carried within the upper portion of said cylinder forlnniting the speed of descent of the car. 'l

17. ln an elevator, the combination with a car and a plunger, of a cylinder for said plunger, a supply pipe connected to the cylinder, and means carried wholly by the upper portion of said cylinder and independently of the supply pipe for limiting the speed of descent of the car,

18. ln an elevator, the combination with a car and a plunger, of a cylinder for said plunger, and means carried wholly within the upper portion of said cylinder for limiting the speed of the ear in its descent. n

19. ln a hydraulic elevator; the combination with a car and plunger, of a cylinder for said plunger, and a cylindrical throttling device surrounding the plunger for regulating the outflow of motor fluid te limit the descent of the car.

20. lin a hydraulic elevator, the combination with a car, of a plunger, means for supplying fluid pressure to the plunger, and means operated by the plunger' for controlling the pressure supply.

21. 1n a hydraulic elevator, the combination with a car, of' a plunger, means for supplying fluid pressure to the plunger, and means operated by the plunger for automatically reducing the fluid pressure supply when the car approaches its normal limit of travel.

22. In a hydraulic elevator, the combination with a car, of a plunger, a cylinder, a supply pipe leading toward the cylinder, and stationary valve mechanism located between said supply pipe and the lower end of' cylinder for automatically controlling the fluid pressure supply.

23. ln a hydraulic elevator, the combination with a car, of a plunger, a cylinder, a supply pipe leading to the cylinder, a stationary valve between said pipe and the lower end of the cylinder, and means for operating said valve to closed position and for permitting it to return to open position.

2l. ln a hydraulic elevator, the combination with a car, of a plunger, a cylinder, a supply pipe leading to the cylinder, a normally open stationary valve between said pipe and the lower end of the cylinder, means for automatically closing said valve when the car approaches its normal limit of travel and means for permitting the same to return to open position.

25. ln a hydraulic elevator,'the combina-- tion with a car, of a plunger, a cylinder, means for supplying fluid pressure to the cylinder, anormally open valve controlling the supply of fluid pressure, and means carried by the plunger inside of the cylinder for automatically closing said valve when the car approaches its normal limit of travel.

26. ln a hydraulic elevator, the combination with a car, of a plunger, a cylinder, means for supplying fluid pressure to the cylinder, a valve, and means carried by the plunger for lifting the valve and nearly but not quite cutting ofl the fluid pressure sup ply.

27. ln a hydraulic elevator, the combination with a car, of a plunger, a cylinder, a source of fluid pressure supply communicating with the cylinder, a sleeve surrounding the plunger, and means for automatically moving said sleeve into position substantially or almost to cut off the supply of fluid pressure as the car approaches its limit of travel.

28. ln a hydraulic elevator, the combination with a car, of a plunger, a plunger cylinder, a perforated cylindrical member surrounding the plunger and establishing connnunication between the plunger and a source of fluid pressure supply, a sleeve within said member, said sleeve and member being relatively movable into position not quite to cut off the pressure supply, and means for causing such relative movement.

29. ln a hydraulic elevator, the combination with a car, of a plunger, a cylinder having at its upper end a perforated wall and a sleeve, one within the other, surrounding the plunger, the perforations establishing communication with a source of fluid pressure supply, and means for effecting a relative movement of the sleeve into position to diminish the supply of fluid pressure.

30. In a hydraulic elevator, the combina tion with a car, of a plunger, a cylinder, a stationary Wall surrounding the plunger and provided with pertorations, means for supplying fluid pressure through said perfor-ations to the cylinder, a movable sleeve within the stationary wall, and means carried by the plunger :t'or lifting the movable sleeve into position to lessen the supply of iuid pressure.

3l. In a hydraulic elevator, the combination with a car, of a cylinder, a plunger, a wall surrounding the plunger and provided with a groove or channel, a wall within the rst-mentioned wall and provided with perforations communicating with the channel, a source of fluid pressure supply communicating with the cylinder through said channel and perforations, a sleeve normally supported below said perforations, and means carried by the plunger for lifting said last-named sleeve into position not quite to close said perforations when the car approaches it upper limit of travel.

32. In a hydraulic elevator, the combination with a car, of a plunger, a cylinder, a to-and-trom pipe leading to the cylinder, a safety Valve, means for automatically moving said safety valve into position materially to obstruct communication between said pipe and the lower portion of the cylinder when the car approaches its normal limit of travel, and means for permitting the escape of fluid from the cylinder when said safety valve is closed.

33. ln a hydraulic elevator, the combination with a car, of a plunger, a cylinder,

and means operated by the plunger for gradually reducing the pressure supply to the cylinder.

34;. In a hydraulic elevator, the combination with a car, of a plunger, a cylinder, a source or" fluid pressure supply, a wall provided with a series of perforations located at diilerent elevations and establishing communication between the cylinder and the source of pressure supply, and means operated from within the cylinder for gradually but not quite closing said peritorations when the car approaches its normal limit of travel.

35. The combination with a main cylinder of a plunger elevator, of a plunger in said cylinder, a valve controlling a port intermediate the outlet of the cylinder and the lower portion of said cylinder, and means for operating said valve in one direction and 'or permitting it to move in the op* posite direction.

3G. ln a hydraulic elevator, the combination with a car, of a plunger and a cylinder, a pipe communicating with the cylinder, and means within the cylinder for controlling a port intermediate the inner end of the said pipe and the lower portion of the cylinder.

37. rEhe combination with a main cylinder, a pipe communicating with the cylinder, ot' a plunger in said cylinder, a car supported by said plunger, and a valve within said cylinder operative independently of external means for controlling a port in the cylinder intermediate the said pipe and the lower interior portion of the cylinder.

DAVE) FLOURNOY MURTON. llVitnesses:

' SOLON C. KEMON,

C. E. TRAINOR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

